July 8, Chicago - National Futures Association has permanently barred from NFA membership Vanguard Trading Group (Vanguard), an Introducing Broker located in Pembroke Pines, Florida. NFA also barred Giovan R. Gordon, president and associated person of Vanguard, from NFA membership for a period of 30 months and ordered him to pay a fine of $10,000 if, after the thirty-month membership bar, he reapplies for NFA membership or associate membership, or becomes a principal of an NFA Member. The Decision, issued by an NFA Hearing Panel, is based on an NFA Complaint filed in December 2008 and a settlement offer submitted by Vanguard and Gordon.

The Panel found that Vanguard and Gordon had failed to cooperate with NFA by not providing all of Gordon's personal bank records per NFA's request to determine if Gordon or another individual had provided the initial capital for the firm.